243 win with 90 gr accubond for elk?

[Biggerhammer]

If shot placement is all that matters, try hunting cape buffalo with a 22 and let us know how it goes.

Now, back to the real world.

[Bob33]

If shot placement is all that matters, try hunting cape buffalo with a 22 and let us know how it goes.

Now, back to the real world.

The real world is that some calibers and bullets perform better than others.

[Biggerhammer]

Yes... They all have their place.

[JoeE]

I wouldn't hesitate using a 243 on an elk.

[billythekidrock]

I wouldn't hesitate using a 243 on an elk.

But would you recommend it as an elk caliber on a forum where hunting styles and experience levels vary?

[BOWHUNTER45]

I wouldn't hesitate using a 243 on an elk.

But would you recommend it as an elk caliber on a forum where hunting styles and experience levels vary?

That's the whole point ..I am sure a few of us could kill an elk rather easily with a .243 but I know how many deer I have killed with a 243...and not many just dropped in their tracks unless I shot them in the neck or broke their back .. I am sure someone could tell me different ...hahaha  Someone shoot an elk in the heart or threw the lungs with a .243 and let me know how far he goes ..I would like to know since I never shot an elk with one .

[Biggerhammer]

Punch both lungs on a elk and it's not long for this world.

[JLS]

I wouldn't hesitate using a 243 on an elk.

But would you recommend it as an elk caliber on a forum where hunting styles and experience levels vary?

That's the whole point ..I am sure a few of us could kill an elk rather easily with a .243 but I know how many deer I have killed with a 243...and not many just dropped in their tracks unless I shot them in the neck or broke their back .. I am sure someone could tell me different ...hahaha  Someone shoot an elk in the heart or threw the lungs with a .243 and let me know how far he goes ..I would like to know since I never shot an elk with one .

The last elk I shot with one took about 2 1/2 steps before falling over, from 285 yards away.

Any hunter out there should willing to pass up a poor shot in lieu of one that they can make.  It makes no difference what caliber they are using.  I've seen a lot of crippled elk run off after being hit with ultra magnums.  I've also see a lot of elk fall to one shot from piddly calibers like .243, 7-08s, .257 Roberts and so on.

So, yes, I would recommend a 243 with an Accubond to anyone for elk.  I would also recommend to them that they know what their skills and limitations are and operate accordingly.

Edit:  A lot of folks out there would benefit a whole lot more from learning more about anatomy and shot placement than they ever will from studying ballistics tables.

[MountainWalk]

Yeah, it can be done. But I wouldn't frame a house with a tack hammer.
  If your a rifle expert, shoot a lot, have decades of hunting experiences, a proficient woods man, and can dedicate a lot of time,  then sure. Knock yourself out.otherwise do yourself and the elk a favor and go bigger.  For every elk done in by a 243, I'd like to know how many were lost.  In the real world, we are often taken by surprise,  panting out of breath, or not given broadside calendar shots

[mountainman]

Yeah, it can be done. But I wouldn't frame a house with a tack hammer.
  If your a rifle expert, shoot a lot, have decades of hunting experiences, a proficient woods man, and can dedicate a lot of time, then do yourself and the elk a favor and go bigger.  For every elk done in by a 243, I'd like to know how many were lost.

yup

[demontang]

Gun can hold .5 moa she can shoot a dinner plate at 500 yrds of sticks. He'll at 350yrds of sticks she can hit a clay pigeon. My only worry is the heavy bone in the shoulder. I've shot everything in the state with my 338 win and the deer she got this year only made it 40 yards maybe before it piled up. I guess it more of a should she shoot the solid copper gmx or the accubond. 

[carpsniperg2]

We have taken over 40 big game animals with accubonds. I have never had any problems with there killing power they do eat a little meat if you get into heavy bone but the bullet does very well. I have seen around 50-70% weight retention on recovered bullets. Most pass through anything from bucks to boars to stags.

[demontang]

I've been running accubonds for a few years in my 338 win. Never had a problem with them but the bullet is 225gr lol. Guess she will being giving it a try.

[JoeE]

I wouldn't hesitate using a 243 on an elk.

But would you recommend it as an elk caliber on a forum where hunting styles and experience levels vary?

No I wouldn't recommend it, I much prefer 30 caliber rounds for hunting. But if it was all I had I would use it and it would work.

[RadSav]

Out to 200 yards the Barnes probably has a slight advantage.  Beyond that the Barnes wound channel is really small in comparison and penetration between the two evens out. 

243 would not be my first choice, or even my top ten, but I wouldn't call it unethical.  I have seen four bulls killed with the 243.  All four taken by experienced hunters and excellent marksmen.  One dropped in his tracks, one went maybe 35 yards, two went over 100 yards with all five rounds in the magazine in their chest.  I also have two good friends that told me of elk they killed (by spouse and son) with the 243.  Both cows.  The lady killed hers with a single shot at 100 yards, recovery 40-50 yards.  The youth put seven rounds in his.  None of the shots more than 80 yards.  His father guessed the recovery as 1/4 mile after all the tracking and shooting was done.  I know that is a small test sample, but from that one could surmise - For every good story you also get one bad.


Here is a snippet from Nathan Fosters website Terminal Ballistics Research.  It's interesting that he seems to agree with the above summary results I've witnessed :

"...Regarding game weights, the .243 is ideal for game weighing between 40kg and 60kg (90-130lb) but is adequate for game weighing 80kg (180lb). This weight limit is suggested not because the .243 cannot produce sufficient penetration on larger game, but because with rear lung shots, even though wounds may be free bleeding, kills can be so slow as to allow animals to run considerable distances and become lost altogether to the hunter. On heavy boned deer, careful shot placement is the key. Countless Elk have been successfully harvested with the .243 (320kg / 700lb) without fuss. However, for every success story there are just as many failures. While many experienced hunters like to argue the limitations of the .243 based on their own skills, animal welfare should always be paramount. There are a great many calibers more suitable for larger medium game than the .243.
...

Closing Comments

 A long time ago, after witnessing too many wounded animals, I banned the use of the .243 on our wild pig hunting block. Animal welfare should always come first and hunters who are capable of comfortably shooting a more powerful cartridges should do so. Nevertheless, the .243 has its place and on the hunting block in question, I have had to make exceptions accordingly. I have one female client who is slightly built and the .243 is as much recoil (combined with rifle weight) as she can possibly handle. With attention to shot placement and actually acknowledging the limitations of the cartridge, this lady is able to fully utilize the .243. For hogs at close to moderate ranges, the rifle is fed the 85 grain Barnes at 3100fps, for everything else, the 95 grain SST at 3050fps. The 95 grain Partition would eliminate the need for dual loading however the two loads have proven to be very versatile.
 
...

This is a cartridge that can produce either outstanding results in an entirely consistent manner or abysmal failures - all entirely dependent on both rifle accuracy, the skill of the hunter and a sensible approach to game suitability. "